New Soft Poems + GRWM
Tim McFarlane Studio: April, 2025
Happy spring, we made it! I’ll take it all: sun, rain, flowers, green everywhere and warmer temps. Just a couple of new updates this time, but I’m happy with each, especially that I finally get to share the new Soft Poem paintings that I worked on during the first part of this year.
New Soft Poems!
I teased in last month’s newsletter that more Soft Poems were on the way and I’m excited to share with you that they’ve finally arrived in finished form.
I let these develop over almost two months (mid-January-early March, 2025) as I revisited and pushed beyond some of the ideas that influenced the first batch of 16 from 2023 and A similar emphasis on highlighting transparent layers, partial obscuring of elements, glyphs appearing and disappearing is still at play, as well as a challenge to myself of making one with vertical divisions (Soft Poem 22). SP 22 turned out to be the one that took the longest to resolve, but I’m happy with the results.
The original impetus for this work was bringing my glyphs to a space where they exist on their own, without a lot of other mark-making. Grids and groups of glyphs exist in relatively quiet, indeterminate spaces that almost feel dreamlike, to a degree.
All six paintings are made with acrylic, acrylic marker, dry pigment and acrylic medium on cradled birch panel, 12” x 9” (30.48 x 22.86cm) each.
The edges of these pieces are an important to the energy of these paintings since I like to allow material to build up and remain mostly intact. I went through a lot of thinking about this aspect of the first batch of SPs: constantly even out the edges or let the material build up creating an organic feeling. Allowing the acrylic to build up on the edges felt like the right thing for this work and it’s remained. The edges are also a counterpoint the rigid nature of the layering from a frontal viewing perspective.
I really enjoyed making these and may continue with the series later this year. In the meantime, these are ready and available through the Bridgette Mayer Gallery- Phone 215.413.8893 or email: bmayer@bmayerart.com
Feel free to get in touch directly with questions: tim@timmcfarlane.com
C’mon and GRWM!
If you’re in Philadelphia this Saturday, come out for the opening of GRWM at Funhouse Gallery. I have three older paintings that I’m showing along with three other artists in this group exhibition. The show’s title is the acronym for “get ready with me”, which many of you will know because of the performative videos seen online where something, like clothing is being sold, but just as often the trope has been subverted as a way to impart information about a range of topics from relationships to politics and beyond. In this case, GRWM refers to the last initials of each artist in the show: Nicolo Gentile, Angela Rio, Will Wolf and myself.
The three works of mine in this show as seen above: Third Movement (2014), I Ain’t Got No Blues No More (2015)and Understanding Is A Dream (2014). Each: acrylic and acrylic marker on panel, 30” x 24” (76.2 x 60.96cm)
GRWM
April 5-26, 2025
Opening Reception: Saturday, April 5th, 7pm-11pm
Funhouse Gallery, 2576 Frankford Avenue, Philadlphia, PA, funhouse.fishtown@gmail.com
Gallery hours: Mon -Tues: by appointment, Wed-Sun Noon-7pm
See you there!
Nuggets
Shows I want to see or that you should see. I know there’s a lot more going on in NYC, but I wasn’t ready to research everything, so if you’re there already, you know what’s up. There’s a lot going on here in Philly and that list below isn’t near as much as what can be seen here, but it’s a start…
I was stoked when I heard of “Jack Whitten: The Messenger” first major retrospective of Jack Whitten’s work opening recently at MoMA and will continue through August 2nd. I’ve not been able to get up to NYC for a long time and have to make it a priority to do so soon.
Jack Whitten: The Messenger at MoMA through August 2, 2025
If you’re in New York before April 19th, stop by DIMIN and see “Scapes”, a group show that exploring contemporary interpretations of landscape, featuring the work of Taj Poscé and others.
Philadelphia shows:
The Bridgette Mayer Gallery has a new show of works by Australian artist, Nigel Sense through May 24, 2025. Opening reception on April 11th, 5-7:30pm
Paradigm Gallery has a new show of work by Sean 9 Lugo, Storyteller, opening this Friday, April 4th
Kate Kern Mundie at F.A.N. Gallery, also opening this Friday, April 4th
Mary Corse at Locks Gallery through May 17, 2025
Namwon Choi at Pentimenti through May 3, 2025
JOSEPH MARIONI, MICHAEL TOENGES, PETER TOLLENS
…we cannot look directly into the sun...
Barnes Foundation: Cecily Brown: Themes and Variations through May 25, 2025
Exit
A wordless three panel story by Midnight
What do you think happens next?
That’s it for this time, short and sweet. I’ll be back again with more news in May. In the meantime, here’s my latest blog post: Art Is For The Future
The weather’s getting nicer and if you happen to be traveling to or near Philly this spring and/or summer and want to meet up, I’m available for studio visits. My availability is Monday-Friday, between 10am-6pm (depending on the day) and some Saturdays. Feel free to email me and let’s figure out a day and time: tim@timmcfarlane.com
Works available through the Bridgette Mayer Gallery
I love the Soft Poems! There’s this quiet strength in the way the glyphs come and go, kind of like memories popping up in a dream. The transparent layers and the way things are partially hidden create this cool tension between being there and not.
Hi Tim. Thanks for posting your work and your activities! I’m very distracted between the destruction of our country and keeping my mind right by growing seedlings in my basement - all flowers. I’m glad you are able to keep painting. Jack Whitten is one of my all-time big faves. He was such a genius and so persistent in exploring ideas and techniques. I admire him so much. Of course I have to get to MOM to see the fabulous show! I hope you get there too. It’s definitely a MUST!
All the best, Nancy